A signature mystery; “Last Hope”; CM of the week: Mister Donut

The new Fuji TV drama series, “Biburia Koshodo no Jiken Techo” (“Biblia Antique Book Shop Case Notebook”; Mon., 9 p.m.) is based on a series of “light mystery novels,” meaning stories where no one is killed. Ayame Goriki plays Shioriko, who runs the titular store located in an alley near Kita Kamakura Station. Shioriko is asocial and eccentric, but she knows more about antique books than anyone.

In the first episode, Daisuke (Akira) inherits some old books from his late grandmother and decides to sell them. He stops in at Biblia for an assessment. The collection contains a full anthology of novels by Natsume Soseki, one of which is autographed by the author, but Shioriko says the signature is fake and conjectures that Daisuke’s grandmother signed it. Offended, Daisuke asks her to prove it, and therein lies the mystery.

Another young actor playing someone who dispenses learned opinions is at the center of “Last Hope” (Fuji, Tues., 9 p.m.). Arashi’s Masaki Aiba is Takumi, one of the doctors working in the hospital at the Center for Advanced Medicine. Takumi is not like his colleagues, who are ambitious and impatient. He takes his time and thinks carefully, especially when treating patients. This tendency sometimes causes “congestion” in the processing of cases. It’s especially troublesome for the nurses with whom he works.

Takumi consults with a young man who has a rare condition. He suffers from four “overlapping cancers” that have appeared almost simultaneously. The patient has already been to 15 other hospitals, but because he recently underwent a heart bypass operation all the doctors deem his case too risky. Takumi decides to take it.

CM of the week

Mister Donut: The ubiquitous donut franchise is currently celebrating the 10th anniversary of its popular pon de ring, a circular French cruller that’s famous for its soft mochi-mochi (doughy) texture. The campaign uses three celebrities, one of whom is outspoken TV personality Matsuko Deluxe.

Transvestite Matsuko is famous for her girth and manly voice, and watching her play with the glazed pon de ring before stuffing it in her mouth may be too much for viewers averse to excess sugar — and never mind the ad’s sexual undertones. We don’t want to imagine how many takes they did.